Specifically I want to look at the rules in place that help maintain biodiversity and habitats in Costa Rica. The guidelines Costa Rica uses could be used to help other countries with less stellar environmental records. For this study I will look at conservation of the rain forests, cloud forests, and any other significant woodland area. This is also my focus for Western (conservation biology and natural resource management).

Tentative Outline

I. Background info on current environmental situation in Costa Rica (figures, data, etc.)II. Steps taken by Costa Rican government to preserve original habitat.a. Specific steps for Rain Forestb. Specific steps for Cloud Forestc. Specific steps for other major woodland areas.III. Conservation methods with population growth.a. How do they prevent urban areas to damage protected areas?b. Impacts of such policies on the people living there.IV. Ideas that could be implemented in U.S. or other industrial nations.V. Economic Analysis of said methods.VI. Conclusion